Drug suspect fights officer

Demetri Ridgeway, 53, of Modesto, was arrested early Friday morning after he was stopped for vehicle code violations and fought a Ceres Police officer.

At 1:35 a.m. Ceres Police Officer Eric Gallegos attempted to stop a white Cadillac in the 1600 block of Evans Road. Driver Demetri Ridgeway continued driving, steering into the parking lot of Microtel Inn, 1760 Herndon Road, and attempting to drive over a curb. The driver's door swung open and Ridgeway started running with Officer Gallegos giving chase eastbound on Evans Road. The officer caught up with Ridgeway at the corner of Evans Road and Norwood Heights where Ridgeway began to fight. Officer Gallegos struck the suspect with his baton which enabled him to be taken taken into custody.

Ridgeway stated he ran because he had an arrest out of Santa Clara County for providing false information to a peace officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, and probation violation.

Ridgeway was found with a small baggie of suspected crystal methamphetamine. In addition, Ridgeway was found to be unlicensed. Ridgeway was examined by paramedics for minor injuries his sustained during this incident and then was booked into the County Jail for resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale, and driving without a license.